Product Details

• Actors: Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd
• Directors: Lasse Hallström
• Writers: John Irving
• Producers: Alan C. Blomquist, Bob Weinstein, Bobby Cohen, Harvey Weinstein, Leslie Holleran
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Miramax
• DVD Release Date: August 15, 2000
• Run Time: 126 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (234 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00003CWNR
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,481 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #29 in	Movies & TV > Drama > Love & Romance > Young Love
  #53 in	Movies & TV > Drama > Love & Romance > Love Triangle
  #58 in	Movies & TV > Drama > Family Life > Fathers & Sons

• For more information about "The Cider House Rules (Miramax Collector's Series)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

In adapting his own novel The Cider House Rules for the screen, John Irving sacrificed at least some of the depth and detail that made his humanitarian themes resonate, while the film--directed with Scandinavian sobriety by Lasse Hallström--is often vague about the complex issues (abortion, incest, responsibility) that lie at its core. Allowing for this ambiguity (which is arguably intentional), the film retains much of what made Irving's novel so admired, and like Hallström's earlier feature What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, it's blessed with a generous, forgiving spirit toward the mistakes, foibles, and desires of its many engaging characters.

Central to the story (set during World War II) is Homer (Tobey Maguire), a young man raised in a Maine orphanage, where the ether-sniffing Dr. Larch (Michael Caine) rules with benevolent grace while performing safe but illegal abortions. To expand his horizons, Homer follows a young couple (Charlize Theron, Paul Rudd) to do fieldwork on an apple farm, where his innocent eyes are opened to the good and evil of the world--and to the realization that not all rules are steadfast in all situations. By the time Homer returns to the orphanage, The Cider House Rules--which features one of Caine's finest performances--is memorable more for its many charming and insightful moments than for any lasting dramatic impact. Is Homer fated to come full circle in his kindhearted journey? It's left to the viewer to decide. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

Honored with two Academy Awards(R) -- Best Supporting Actor, Michael Caine, and Best Adapted Screenplay, John Irving -- THE CIDER HOUSE RULES tells a compelling and heartwarming story about how far a young man must travel to find the place where he truly belongs! Homer Wells (Tobey Macguire -- PLEASANTVILLE, THE ICE STORM, WONDER BOYS) has lived nearly his entire life within the walls of St. Cloud's Orphanage in rural Maine. Though groomed by its proprietor, Dr. Larch (Caine), to be his successor, Homer nonetheless feels the need to strike out on his own and experience the world outside. Then, while working at an apple orchard, Homer falls for the beautiful Candy (Charlize Theron -- REINDEER GAMES, THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE) and learns some powerfully indelible lessons about life, love, and home! Based on John Irving's best-selling American classic and featuring a sensational all-star cast including Delroy Lindo and newcomer Erykah Badu, this entertaining motion picture earned raves from critics and moviegoers everywhere!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide to the Rules, December 3, 2002

By	J. Michael Click (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

A sensitive and intelligent character-driven film, adapted from John Irving's novel by the author himself, which features truly breathtaking cinematography, a lush musical score, and uniformly excellent performances by a formidable cast which includes Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Delroy Lindo, Paul Rudd, Kathy Baker, Jane Alexander, and supporting Oscar-winner Michael Caine. The main plot line centers around a young man (Maguire), raised in an orphanage headed by a charismatic doctor (Caine), who decides to venture out into the world and learns the hard way that life is not merely black and white, but many subtle variations of gray. While this is hardly a unique theme, the characters in "Cider House Rules" are so exquisitely drawn, and the movie so masterfully produced, that everything which might in lesser hands seem overly familiar appears fresh, new, and distinctive.

The DVD offers a perfect sound and video transfer, and includes a nice selection of "extras", including a documentary on the making of the film, the original Theatrical Trailer, and highlights of the television ad campaign. Overall, the DVD is an exemplary presentation of a bona fide modern classic, and one that's well worth multiple viewings.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lassa Hallstrom does it again., March 23, 2000

By	russ (Kansas) - See all my reviews

I haven't viewed all of Hallstrom's work,however what I have seen is brilliant. I didn't sit and watch this film,I was in the film ,these actor's were people I knew.This is how to describe the reality the movie projects, it pull's you into the story line,which deals with some heavy subject matter.You are given the material, some of wich comes right to the core of your soul and thoght. You are never left with the feeling of being right or wrong on your own opinon's of these issues,only this reality,the world is so much more than my thoughts alone.The old saying "Good People can do Bad Things"never hit so clear in a movie as this one did.This was Michael Caine at his best,period.Tobey Maquire was just as good,you looked at this character and saw the innocence of youth, you could feel the pain that comes with maturity that he had to endure. This movie will stay with you for some time after you leave the theater,you probably won't change your opinions you've had for years to form,it just may make you less critical of those that differ from yours.This is the movie to see,if you only see one this year, this is it.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cider House RULES!, March 20, 2000

By A Customer

What attracted me to this film was the combination of Michael Caine and Tobey Maguire. Caine's subtle yet effective performance is the work of a master. You gotta give the old dog a ton of credit, and hell, throw in a "trophy" as well! He's got to be the hardest working actor in the business. Maguire's role as Homer Wells amused and impressed me. He's got a style all his own. Delroy Lindo is simply a force to be dealt wth, a major presence on the screen. The supporting is cast is incredible. This film's got it all: wide -eyed lonely kids, funny moments, intense situations and the harsh sting of reality. Director Lasse Hallstrom delivers a heart-wrenching slice of Americana, the likes of which haven't been seen in cinema in a very long time.